Naomi Alderman writes: “A novel idea: curl up in bed with a virtual book” Recently I’ve been intrigued by the idea that ebook readers could be a greener way to spread the printed word. And since I started using one… Read More ›
language
It’s not “sex”, it’s rape.
And today’s doucheplonker of FAIL award goes to… this Sydney Morning Herald reporter, who managed to write this entire article without once mentioning the word “rape” or “assault”. Instead, she repeatedly labelled these violent gang rapes “sex”.
Australia Day: “Speak English!”
It’s Australia Day again, so I’m recycling my favourite anecdote from a few years ago.
We had decided to spend a warm Australia Day picnicking on the shores of Lake Monger with friends. Plenty of other people had decided the same thing, and it was a convivial atmosphere. The black swans were noodling around in the background, there plenty of kids playing on the grass, families were chatting with each other
Etymology 101
I’ll stop arguing with anti-feminists and other provocateurs who claim that the latest act labelled “misogynist” isn’t really that, because, you know, whoever did it doesn’t actually HATE women when they stop calling rich people “philanthropists” for giving money away,… Read More ›
If women are “frazzled” they’re neurotic, says Tele’s Kevin Hepworth
Daily Telegraph: Women are safer drivers, but more neurotic behind the wheel THE age-old dispute between men and women drivers has finally been solved – women are the safest but most neurotic behind the wheel. Bad weather and unfamiliar roads… Read More ›
Quick hit: Aboriginal languages are like Deafness, and condoning either is “criminally insane”
Eric Brodrick from Alice Springs has a piece in Crikey this week titled “What’s the Pitjantjatjara word for computer?” His argument boils down to this paragraph: Not being able to speak the major language of a country is a disability… Read More ›
Backpedalling and finger pointing while spinning like a top
It’s finally sunk in, apparently, that the long-claimed link between having an abortion and breast cancer simply doesn’t stand up to rigorous scrutiny. Forced-birthers are backing away from the claim that there is a direct link BUT don’t cheer too… Read More ›
Peeve Time: “The Obese” as Walking Dead
[cross-posted at Shapely Prose.] People with disabilities have for quite a while been promoting “people-first” language to reinforce the simple, yet radical, notion that people with disabilities are people first, PWD second. “Diabetics” are people with diabetes; “disabled people” are… Read More ›
The most potent weapon in the PC arsenal
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Disgust Disgust, originally uploaded by Spencer Batchelder. Yep, that’s the nastiest munition we have here at… Read More ›
Passive voice watch: invisible rapist in Sussex
The Beeb has got a nasty case of the Invisible Rapists today, in this report: “Teenager is raped in club toilets”. A 19-year-old woman was raped in the men’s toilets in a nightclub, Sussex Police revealed. The teenager was attacked… Read More ›
Hoyden About Town 